Wasatch Mountain State Park

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Wasatch Mountain State Park
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Location of Wasatch Mountain State Park within the State of Utah
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Wasatch Mountain State Park (the United States)
Location Wasatch, Utah, United States
Coordinates 40°30′10″N111°32′14″W / 40.50278°N 111.53722°W / 40.50278; -111.53722
Area21,592 acres (87.38 km2)
Elevation5,900 ft (1,800 m)
Established1961
Named forthe Wasatch Range
Visitors574,185(in 2022) [1]
OperatorUtah Division of State Parks and Recreation
Website stateparks.utah.gov/parks/wasatch-mountain/

Wasatch Mountain State Park [2] is a state park of Utah, United States, located in the northern part of the state within the Wasatch Back area on the north and west edges of the Heber Valley in Wasatch County near the city of Midway.

Contents

Description

Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitors Center, April 2016 Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitors Center, Apr 16.jpg
Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitors Center, April 2016

Established in 1961, Wasatch Mountain State Park is Utah's most developed state park. Named for the Wasatch Mountains, [Note 1] the park consists of 21,592 acres (8,738 ha), and sits at an elevation of 5,900 feet (1,800 m). [5] Wildlife in the park includes deer, elk, wild turkeys, and moose. Although the southern part of Wasatch Mountain State Park is adjacent to the northeast part of Deer Creek State Park, the two parks only share a short section of common border.

Of the forty state parks in Utah, Wasatch Mountain State Park was the fifth most visited during the Fiscal Year 2017. During that period, 360,338 guests visited the park, representing a 6.7 percent increase over FY2016. [6] [7]

Park facilities

Wasatch Mountain State Park is used for mountain activities such as camping, picnicking, hiking, off-road vehicle use, horseback riding, Nordic skiing, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. It is also home to Wasatch Mountain and Soldier Hollow golf courses. [8] [9] [10] Unlike a large majority of Utah's state parks, it is not related to a body of water (reservoir, lake, etc.).

There are 139 campsites at the park, along with two pavilions for group use, restrooms, showers, and utility hookups. [5]

Soldier Hollow was host to some of the events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The venue remains open to the public year-round, offering Nordic skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, a summer and winter biathlon, and in-line skating facilities. [11]

Access

There are three sections of the park, each with a different access route. [Note 2] The main part of the park, including the park headquarters/visitors center, campgrounds, and the Wasatch Golf Course, is most easily reached via Utah State Route 222 (east Main Street) from Midway. It may also be accessed (except during the winter and early spring) by way of Pine Canyon Road from Guardsman Pass Road (from Big Cottonwood Canyon) or Utah State Route 224 (from Park City). The Soldier Hollow portion, which includes the cross country ski resort and the Soldier Hallow Golf Course, is most easily accessed by way of Tate Road (from Utah State Route 113 in Charleston) and then turning south on Stringtown Road. (Until 1990, this route was designated as Utah State Route 220.) Dutch Hollow, the least visited area, which includes a hiking trail, is reached via Dutch Canyon Road from River Road on the eastern edge of Midway. [14]

Climate

Climate data for Snake Creek Powerhouse, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, 1913-2020 extremes: 6010ft (1832m)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)56
(13)		63
(17)		73
(23)		83
(28)		100
(38)		97
(36)		102
(39)		100
(38)		94
(34)		85
(29)		71
(22)		65
(18)		102
(39)
Mean maximum °F (°C)48.9
(9.4)		52.7
(11.5)		63.9
(17.7)		74.4
(23.6)		83.3
(28.5)		90.4
(32.4)		95.8
(35.4)		93.7
(34.3)		87.8
(31.0)		76.9
(24.9)		61.7
(16.5)		50.7
(10.4)		94.8
(34.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)35.6
(2.0)		39.7
(4.3)		48.9
(9.4)		56.7
(13.7)		66.4
(19.1)		78.4
(25.8)		88.2
(31.2)		84.6
(29.2)		75.0
(23.9)		61.5
(16.4)		45.7
(7.6)		35.0
(1.7)		59.6
(15.4)
Daily mean °F (°C)24.8
(−4.0)		27.1
(−2.7)		36.5
(2.5)		42.8
(6.0)		51.8
(11.0)		61.1
(16.2)		67.6
(19.8)		64.5
(18.1)		56.9
(13.8)		46.4
(8.0)		34.0
(1.1)		24.8
(−4.0)		44.9
(7.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)14.0
(−10.0)		14.6
(−9.7)		24.1
(−4.4)		29.0
(−1.7)		37.3
(2.9)		43.8
(6.6)		47.0
(8.3)		44.5
(6.9)		38.9
(3.8)		31.4
(−0.3)		22.3
(−5.4)		14.6
(−9.7)		30.1
(−1.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C)−4.1
(−20.1)		−2.9
(−19.4)		7.0
(−13.9)		16.0
(−8.9)		24.0
(−4.4)		30.1
(−1.1)		38.3
(3.5)		37.2
(2.9)		26.6
(−3.0)		17.1
(−8.3)		3.0
(−16.1)		−3.5
(−19.7)		−8.3
(−22.4)
Record low °F (°C)−28
(−33)		−34
(−37)		−15
(−26)		−4
(−20)		14
(−10)		21
(−6)		26
(−3)		26
(−3)		14
(−10)		0
(−18)		−14
(−26)		−29
(−34)		−34
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm)2.79
(71)		2.41
(61)		2.02
(51)		1.56
(40)		2.00
(51)		1.13
(29)		0.74
(19)		1.23
(31)		1.56
(40)		1.99
(51)		1.99
(51)		2.33
(59)		21.75
(554)
Average snowfall inches (cm)23.30
(59.2)		22.70
(57.7)		9.10
(23.1)		2.30
(5.8)		0.60
(1.5)		0.00
(0.00)		0.00
(0.00)		0.00
(0.00)		0.20
(0.51)		0.70
(1.8)		16.10
(40.9)		27.30
(69.3)		102.3
(259.81)
Source 1: NOAA (1981-2010 snowfall) [15] [16]
Source 2: XMACIS2 (records & monthly max/mins) [17]

History

Wasatch Mountain State Park contains three historic features. The restored Tate Barn, at the south end of the park, is a recognized landmark and Heber Valley symbol. It is a classic wooden barn built in the 1890s. [18] Huber Grove, a 100-year-old apple orchard, features the Huber Farmhouse and Creamery. [19] The third feature is the Snake Creek Hydroelectric Power Plant Historic District. However, most facets of the district are currently not directly accessible by the public.[ citation needed ]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Although the wording of the name of the Wasatch Mountain State Park may seem to imply it is named after or related to the "Wasatch Mountain", the only mountain so named is located over 300 miles (480 km) to the southeast in San Miguel County in southwest Colorado. [3] [4] Therefore, it is a "mountain state park" that is given the specific name of "Wasatch", after the Wasatch Range, in general.
  2. ↑ In addition to the access routes indicated, U.S. Route 40/U.S. Route 189 very briefly passes through the northeastern edge of the park, but there is no direct access to any part of the park from that highway. [12] [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wasatch County, Utah</span> County in Utah, United States

Wasatch County is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 34,788. Its county seat and largest city is Heber City. The county was named for a Ute word meaning "mountain pass" or "low place in the high mountains".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heber City, Utah</span> City in Utah, United States

Heber City is a city and county seat of Wasatch County, Utah. The population was 16,856 as of the 2020 United States census. The city is located 43 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midway, Utah</span> City in Utah, United States

Midway is a city in northwestern Wasatch County, Utah, United States. It is located in the Heber Valley, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Heber City and 28 miles (45 km) southeast of Salt Lake City, on the opposite side of the Wasatch Mountains. The population was 6,003 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soldier Hollow</span> Cross-country skiing park in Wasatch Mountain State Park, Utah

Soldier Hollow is a cross-country ski venue located at the mouth of a hollow of the same name about 53 miles (85 km) southeast of Salt Lake City in Wasatch Mountain State Park in northwestern Wasatch County, Utah, United States. The venue was created for the 2002 Winter Olympics and hosted the biathlon, cross-country skiing, and the cross country skiing portion of the Nordic combined events, a role it is expected to reprise for the 2034 Winter Olympics.

The Wasatch Back is a region in the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Utah. It includes cities such as Park City, Heber City, and Morgan. The name Wasatch Back differentiates it from the Wasatch Front, which includes Utah's more populous cities such as Salt Lake City, Ogden, Layton, and Provo. The Wasatch Back sits on the eastern side of the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, while the Wasatch Front sits on the western side. Wasatch is a Ute Indian word that means "mountain pass" or "low pass over high range." The Wasatch Back is a very affluent region. Summit County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heber Valley Railroad</span> Historic railroad in Utah

The Heber Valley Railroad (HVRX) is a heritage railroad based in Heber City, Utah. It operates passenger excursion trains along a line between Heber City and Vivian Park, which is located in Provo Canyon. The HVRX carries over 110,000 passengers a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snow Canyon State Park</span> State park in Utah, United States

Snow Canyon State Park is a state park in Utah, located in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. The park features a canyon carved from the red and white Navajo sandstone of the Red Mountains, as well as the extinct Santa Clara Volcano, lava tubes, lava flows, and sand dunes. Snow Canyon is located near the cities of Ivins and St. George in Washington County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah State Route 224</span> State highway in Summit County, Utah, United States

State Route 224 (SR-224) is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of Utah. The route connects Interstate 80 and Kimball Junction in the north to Park City in the south. Ski resorts line the mostly four-lane highway, including Park City Resort and Deer Valley. The highway has changed paths many times since its formation in 1941, at one point connecting to Big Cottonwood Canyon and Salt Lake County. However, realignments brought the route to its present path by 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah State Route 248</span> State highway in Summit and Wasatch Counties, Utah, United States

State Route 248 is a highway in northern Utah, connecting Park City with Kamas. In Park City it is known as Kearns Boulevard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Provo Canyon</span> In Utah County and Wasatch County, Utah

Provo Canyon is located in unincorporated Utah County and Wasatch County, Utah. Provo Canyon runs between Mount Timpanogos on the north and Mount Cascade on the south. The canyon extends from Orem on the west end to Heber City on the east. Provo Canyon is situated to the east of Utah Valley and grants access to the valleys and Uinta Basin regions that lie beyond the Wasatch front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deer Creek State Park (Utah)</span> State park in Utah, United States

Deer Creek State Park a state park in south western Wasatch County, Utah, United States, featuring large Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir. The park is located near the town of Charleston in the southwest corner of the Heber Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah State Route 190</span> State highway in Utah, United States

State Route 190 (SR-190) or the Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway is primarily an east and west state highway and scenic highway in eastern Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, that begins at Interstate 215 (I-215), runs through Big Cottonwood Canyon, and ends at the Salt Lake and Wasatch county line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation</span> State park in Duchesne County, Utah, United States

Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation is a state park in Duchesne County, Utah, United States, featuring the 3,495-acre (1,414 ha) Starvation Reservoir. The park is 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the city of Duchesne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah State Route 113</span> State highway in Utah, United States

State Route 113 (SR‑113) is a 7.1 miles (11.4 km) state highway in the Heber Valley in northern Wasatch County, Utah, United States, that connects U.S. Route 189 (US‑189) in Charleston with U.S. Route 40 (US‑40)/US‑189 in Heber City and forms a northern loop off of US‑189 by way of Midway. The entire length has been designated as part of the Provo Canyon Scenic Byway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah State Route 222</span> State highway in Utah, United States

State Route 222 (SR-222) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Utah. Spanning 3.3 miles (5.3 km), it connects the city of Midway on Utah 113 with Wasatch Mountain State Park, and non-state-maintained connections to Park City and Brighton via Empire Pass and Guardsman Pass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interlaken, Utah</span> Town in Wasatch County, Utah, United States

Interlaken is a town in northwestern Wasatch County, Utah, United States. The population was 179 at the 2020 census. The current mayor is Greg Harrigan.

Soldier Hollow may refer to:

Soldier Hollow is a small hollow in the Wasatch Range that is located within the Wasatch Mountain State Park in northwestern Wasatch County, Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake Creek (Provo River tributary)</span> River in Utah, United States

Snake Creek is a 11.7-mile-long (18.8 km) southeastward-flowing stream tributary to the middle section of the Provo River in Wasatch County, Utah.

Lost Creek State Park is a state park in northeastern Morgan County, Utah, United States, about 13 miles (21 km) northeast of city of Henefer and about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of the unincorporated community of Croydon, Utah.

References

  1. ↑ "Park Visitation Data". Utah State Parks. July 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wasatch Mountain State Park
  3. ↑ "Feature Query Results [for a search for 'Wasatch Mountain']". geonames.usgs.gov. United States Geological Survey . Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  4. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wasatch Mountain
  5. 1 2 "Wasatch Mountain State Park: Discover". Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation. Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Division of Parks and Recreation Fiscal Year 2017 Visitation Data" (PDF). stateparks.utah.gov. Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation. Retrieved November 6, 2017– via Park Visitation Data.{{cite web}}: External link in |via= (help)
  7. ↑ "Visitation for 2016" (PDF). stateparks.utah.gov. Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation. Retrieved November 6, 2017– via Park Visitation Data.{{cite web}}: External link in |via= (help)
  8. ↑ "Wasatch Mountain State Park: Amenities". stateparks.utah.gov. Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation.
  9. ↑ "Golf Weber Valley". gohebervalley.com. Heber Vslley Office of Tourism. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Wasath Mountain State Park: A State Park Where Anything Goes". utah.com. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Soldier Hollow Nordic Center". utaholympiclegacy.org.
  12. ↑ "Wasatch Mountain State Park: Map" (Map). stateparks.utah.gov. Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  13. ↑ MyTopo Maps - Untitle map of the northeast edge of Wasatch Mountain State Park (Map). Trimble Navigation, Ltd. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Wasatch Mountain State Park" (Map). Google Maps . Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Snake Creek Powerhouse, Utah 1991-2020 Monthly Normals" . Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Snake Creek Powerhouse, Utah 1981-2010 Monthly Normals" . Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  17. ↑ "xmACIS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Friends of Wasatch Mountain State Park". friendsofwasatch.org. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2017– via web.archive.org.
  19. ↑ Grass, Ray (July 18, 2003). "Wasatch tour focuses on homestead, barn". Deseret Morning News . Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
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